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Post by Pgarodactyl on Oct 13, 2014 9:38:38 GMT -5
I was out in London, Ontario yesterday for the first Rogers Hometown Hockey broadcast (and day-long festival). The atmosphere was amazing sitting in our market square with the big screen set up for the game (even if there were a few audio problems in the third). It also helps when the de facto "home team" plays well, with the local flavour contributing (there were features throughout the game that aired on TV about London connections, as well as the goals by Rick Nash (former London Knight) and Nazem Kadri (a Londoner/former Knight) to add to the flare of the whole thing. Some highlights of the day: - Leafs Drop. It's this big logo set up. You and your party stand in front of a screen and basically be as loud as you can for 4 seconds and, if you're loud enough, you win tickets to a future Leafs home game. My wife, my friend and I managed to win tickets! Being the good guy I am, I sacrificed a seat so they could have a "girl's day" in Toronto (It's a Tuesday game, so I have to work anyway). Karma would smile on me for that... but that's later. - Meeting Curtis Joseph. I'm like my dad in that I primarily drift towards goaltenders as favourite players. CuJo was no exception, and I have a 2000-era jersey with his name and #31 emblazoned on it. I had him sign the shoulder of it, and my party got our picture taken with him. Definitely VERY awesome, and he's a tremendously nice guy. - The beaver tails. As the late, great Jon Pinette would say... "FRIED DOUGH!" - Ron MacLean. The man is a class act all the way. On an aside, we were walking over to the Jack FM booth (the local radio station that was acting as ambassadors to the whole event) to enter some draw (a $500 Shopping Channel gift card) when I froze in my tracks. Ron MacLean was RIGHT. THERE. After a moment to collect myself, we walked over, shook his hand (ahhhh!!) and filled out our ballots, and hung around while he did his interview on the air with the personalities there. - Darryl Sittler. I was at the Air Canada Centre the day Sittler had his number raised to the rafters. He's a Leafs legend and also a former London Knight, so it was cool to just be in his presence. He didn't get a chance to sign autographs, but I did get a few good pics of him. As an aside, the "Cheer Like Never Before" contest was also fun to watch. - The musical entertainment was competent - even enjoyable. - Then came my big karmic reward. The Leafs (again) send some goodies to entice people to participate in the "ultimate fan" contest... we just had to be loud. Well, being loud has never been a problem for me - I have just never been rewarded for it (barring the earlier Leafs Drop tickets that I sacrificed). This time, it paid off in dividends! I ended up winning the prize: Two jerseys (allowing me to retire the CuJo), and tickets for two games (Leafs and Wings on December 13, then Leafs and Islanders March 9, the latter of which comes with two MORE jerseys and access to the morning Leafs practice!). It took a while to stop shaking over that.... I'm not sure I'm there yet. - THEN as we were standing in a crowd (we chose the smaller crowd behind Tara Slone and Jen Botterill (the former of who used to be singer of a band called Joydrop - one which I own both CDs of and if I had known she was there, would have had one signed) rather than the larger crowd behind the mobile studio), we got to spend a good 20 minutes hanging out with Carlton the Bear (Leafs mascot). The spot he chose to stand in was the spot right between my friend and I, and he stayed there, pestering the girls in front of us, starting "GO LEAFS GO" chants and doing what an awesome mascot will do. - Of course, there's also the game, but the lead in was something special. For the first time this Hometown Hockey went down, the stories they grabbed were compelling and, in the case of the Ian Jenkins story, heartbreaking. This is one that you should watch.: www.hometownhockey.com/news/have-a-purpose-the-ian-jenkins-story/- And, the game! The fact that the Leafs stopped playing like they did against Pittsburgh was nice. The fact that they were able to ring up Henrik Lundqvist as well as they did (that second period!!) was even better! Sure, it was chilly, but it was worth sticking around to watch that game. If you get a chance to go to a Hometown Hockey event this year, do it. The atmosphere is second only to being in the arena and it's something I won't soon forget. Especially since it gets me through the gate for TWO live games this season after having not been to the ACC since the 2002-2003 season. Wow, looks like you had a ball. I'll definitely go chec...*sees that Hometown Hockey will only occur in Canada and not Southern California* f***ING SHIT!!!! *leaves thread extremely.disappointed* If it makes you feel any better, one of the features from last night's game was on Drew Doughty. |
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Post by The Summer of Muskrat XVII on Oct 13, 2014 10:55:05 GMT -5
I was out in London, Ontario yesterday for the first Rogers Hometown Hockey broadcast (and day-long festival). The atmosphere was amazing sitting in our market square with the big screen set up for the game (even if there were a few audio problems in the third). It also helps when the de facto "home team" plays well, with the local flavour contributing (there were features throughout the game that aired on TV about London connections, as well as the goals by Rick Nash (former London Knight) and Nazem Kadri (a Londoner/former Knight) to add to the flare of the whole thing. Some highlights of the day: - Leafs Drop. It's this big logo set up. You and your party stand in front of a screen and basically be as loud as you can for 4 seconds and, if you're loud enough, you win tickets to a future Leafs home game. My wife, my friend and I managed to win tickets! Being the good guy I am, I sacrificed a seat so they could have a "girl's day" in Toronto (It's a Tuesday game, so I have to work anyway). Karma would smile on me for that... but that's later. - Meeting Curtis Joseph. I'm like my dad in that I primarily drift towards goaltenders as favourite players. CuJo was no exception, and I have a 2000-era jersey with his name and #31 emblazoned on it. I had him sign the shoulder of it, and my party got our picture taken with him. Definitely VERY awesome, and he's a tremendously nice guy. - The beaver tails. As the late, great Jon Pinette would say... "FRIED DOUGH!" - Ron MacLean. The man is a class act all the way. On an aside, we were walking over to the Jack FM booth (the local radio station that was acting as ambassadors to the whole event) to enter some draw (a $500 Shopping Channel gift card) when I froze in my tracks. Ron MacLean was RIGHT. THERE. After a moment to collect myself, we walked over, shook his hand (ahhhh!!) and filled out our ballots, and hung around while he did his interview on the air with the personalities there. - Darryl Sittler. I was at the Air Canada Centre the day Sittler had his number raised to the rafters. He's a Leafs legend and also a former London Knight, so it was cool to just be in his presence. He didn't get a chance to sign autographs, but I did get a few good pics of him. As an aside, the "Cheer Like Never Before" contest was also fun to watch. - The musical entertainment was competent - even enjoyable. - Then came my big karmic reward. The Leafs (again) send some goodies to entice people to participate in the "ultimate fan" contest... we just had to be loud. Well, being loud has never been a problem for me - I have just never been rewarded for it (barring the earlier Leafs Drop tickets that I sacrificed). This time, it paid off in dividends! I ended up winning the prize: Two jerseys (allowing me to retire the CuJo), and tickets for two games (Leafs and Wings on December 13, then Leafs and Islanders March 9, the latter of which comes with two MORE jerseys and access to the morning Leafs practice!). It took a while to stop shaking over that.... I'm not sure I'm there yet. - THEN as we were standing in a crowd (we chose the smaller crowd behind Tara Slone and Jen Botterill (the former of who used to be singer of a band called Joydrop - one which I own both CDs of and if I had known she was there, would have had one signed) rather than the larger crowd behind the mobile studio), we got to spend a good 20 minutes hanging out with Carlton the Bear (Leafs mascot). The spot he chose to stand in was the spot right between my friend and I, and he stayed there, pestering the girls in front of us, starting "GO LEAFS GO" chants and doing what an awesome mascot will do. - Of course, there's also the game, but the lead in was something special. For the first time this Hometown Hockey went down, the stories they grabbed were compelling and, in the case of the Ian Jenkins story, heartbreaking. This is one that you should watch.: www.hometownhockey.com/news/have-a-purpose-the-ian-jenkins-story/- And, the game! The fact that the Leafs stopped playing like they did against Pittsburgh was nice. The fact that they were able to ring up Henrik Lundqvist as well as they did (that second period!!) was even better! Sure, it was chilly, but it was worth sticking around to watch that game. If you get a chance to go to a Hometown Hockey event this year, do it. The atmosphere is second only to being in the arena and it's something I won't soon forget. Especially since it gets me through the gate for TWO live games this season after having not been to the ACC since the 2002-2003 season. I'm so jealous of you man. Might go check out a Jets one this season, but it won't be the same cause I'm diehard Leafs EDIT: Yup, last weekend in November they're having one in Brandon which is about 10 miles away so I'll definitely be checking it out |
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triplethreatmark
Grimlock
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Posts: 14,074
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Post by triplethreatmark on Oct 13, 2014 11:25:18 GMT -5
Wow, looks like you had a ball. I'll definitely go chec...*sees that Hometown Hockey will only occur in Canada and not Southern California* f***ING SHIT!!!! *leaves thread extremely.disappointed* If it makes you feel any better, one of the features from last night's game was on Drew Doughty. Yeah, I saw that too (Thanks NHL Network). I will forever be in debt to London, ON for giving the Kings Doughty. He's not just a man, nay, he's a hockey god. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2014 12:31:11 GMT -5
If it makes you feel any better, one of the features from last night's game was on Drew Doughty. Yeah, I saw that too (Thanks NHL Network). I will forever be in debt to London, ON for giving the Kings Doughty. He's not just a man, nay, he's a hockey god. I swear London Knights and Portland Winterhawks and maybe Windsor Spitfires (we will see in a few more years) are two of the biggest CHL talent producers. |
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AFN: Judge Shred
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Wanted to change his doohicky.
Member of The Bluetista Buyers Club
Posts: 18,221
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Post by AFN: Judge Shred on Oct 13, 2014 14:21:14 GMT -5
Thanks for the anti-goal-jinx for the Avs. Also, Avs, not AVES. Those are avenues, not Avalanches.
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BR329
King Koopa
Support the WWF
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Post by BR329 on Oct 13, 2014 22:08:54 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2014 22:19:40 GMT -5
Was this a early morning game or was there a blizzard or what? I still think Panther fans are surprisingly loyal considering they have possibly the most dubious franchise in the league and their arena is in a suburb |
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Post by Vice honcho room temperature on Oct 13, 2014 22:19:41 GMT -5
Thanks for the anti-goal-jinx for the Avs. Also, Avs, not AVES. Those are avenues, not Avalanches. But theres and es at the end of Avalanches. |
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Post by The Captain on Oct 13, 2014 22:22:29 GMT -5
Was this a early morning game or was there a blizzard or what? I still think Panther fans are surprisingly loyal considering they have possibly the most dubious franchise in the league and their arena is in a suburb Don't think you'll see many blizzards in South Florida. Man, that's sad looking. I don't think even the Devils at their worst days at what's now the IZOD Center had crowds this small. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 13, 2014 22:34:06 GMT -5
Was this a early morning game or was there a blizzard or what? I still think Panther fans are surprisingly loyal considering they have possibly the most dubious franchise in the league and their arena is in a suburb Don't think you'll see many blizzards in South Florida. Man, that's sad looking. I don't think even the Devils at their worst days at what's now the IZOD Center had crowds this small. 334  |
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AFN: Judge Shred
Bill S. Preston, Esq.
Wanted to change his doohicky.
Member of The Bluetista Buyers Club
Posts: 18,221
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Post by AFN: Judge Shred on Oct 13, 2014 22:47:25 GMT -5
Thanks for the anti-goal-jinx for the Avs. Also, Avs, not AVES. Those are avenues, not Avalanches. But theres and es at the end of Avalanches. And an "alanch" in the middle and that gets dropped along with the E, and the team name doesn't have an S on the end to begin with. |
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Post by Vice honcho room temperature on Oct 13, 2014 22:47:59 GMT -5
But theres and es at the end of Avalanches. And an "alanch" in the middle and that gets dropped along with the E, and the team name doesn't have an S on the end to begin with. So it should be AV then |
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BR329
King Koopa
Support the WWF
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Post by BR329 on Oct 13, 2014 22:48:43 GMT -5
Was this a early morning game or was there a blizzard or what? I still think Panther fans are surprisingly loyal considering they have possibly the most dubious franchise in the league and their arena is in a suburb The small number of Panther fans are definitely loyal. Especially considering how bad they've been for the past decade. But that's the thing it's a small number. I understand there arena is an hour drive from Miami and in the middle of no where but those pictures are flat out embarrassing for a pro sports team. |
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Post by The Captain on Oct 13, 2014 23:24:16 GMT -5
Don't think you'll see many blizzards in South Florida. Man, that's sad looking. I don't think even the Devils at their worst days at what's now the IZOD Center had crowds this small. 334 Under normal conditions. A game held in the middle of a blizzard that dumped 2 feet of snow is not normal conditions. |
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triplethreatmark
Grimlock
Party Fouler
I look exactly like this avatar in real life.
Posts: 14,074
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Post by triplethreatmark on Oct 14, 2014 1:34:56 GMT -5
That Lightning game was really fun to watch. If they can stay healthy and get better defensively as the season goes on, they'll be going places.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 14, 2014 6:48:19 GMT -5
334 Under normal conditions. A game held in the middle of a blizzard that dumped 2 feet of snow is not normal conditions. We call that September in here |
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Steveweiser
Dalek
Mickie Mickie You're So Fine... Hey Mickie!
THE GRAPS
Posts: 50,249
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Post by Steveweiser on Oct 14, 2014 7:03:21 GMT -5
But that's still a good 7,000 more than TNA gets...  |
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Post by VRM: LET'S GO BLUESHIRTS!! on Oct 14, 2014 18:21:07 GMT -5
Rick Nash, WHY COULDN'T YOU DO THIS BACK IN JUNE!!!!!!
5th goal of the season, 4th straight game with a goal (Rangers record to Start season).
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Post by Deleted on Oct 14, 2014 18:33:14 GMT -5
Was this a early morning game or was there a blizzard or what? I still think Panther fans are surprisingly loyal considering they have possibly the most dubious franchise in the league and their arena is in a suburb Oh, God. I feel bad for the Panthers fans, because they are stuck out in Sunrise, the team, barring one season, has never been successful, & the arena itself is odd (warmest ice and away facilities better than home). Meanwhile, I'm gearing up for the Fuel's first game. There's gonna be a 2 hour pregame show Friday. Also, the CHL outcasts have adjusted to their new league quickly. Heck, TSN Toronto viewers probably saw Brampton Beast ads for their first ECHL game, which is far more advertising than they did all of last season. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 14, 2014 18:40:48 GMT -5
Ebs and Nuge injured? Our top three centers tonight have a combined 46 games of NHL experience. Petry Oilers most well rounded and possibly best defenseman is a healthy scratch?! Against the LA Kings tonight. Holy f*** folks we maybe witnessing a 11-1 game tonight. This organization is a joke! No wonder this franchise has been the worst team by a huge distance the last 8 seasons.
Fire Eakins! Fire Lowe! Fire MacTavish for hiring Eakins and refusing to fire him
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